News

Ontario Investing in Humber River Hospital Repairs and Upgrades

Fund Will Help Hospitals Provide a Higher Standard of Health Care

Ontario is renewing hospital infrastructure in York Centre to ensure patients get the care they need.

Through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, the province is investing $1,048,357 for infrastructure upgrades to Humber River Hospital. The funding will help address critical infrastructure needs at Humber River Hospital such as:

Structural upgrades such as roof replacements and new windows

Upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

Improvements such as upgrading back-up generators

Upgraded fire alarm systems and other work needed to address requirements under the Ontario Building Code and Ontario Fire Code.

In the 2015 Budget, the government committed to providing more than $11 billion in hospital capital grants over 10 years, including grants administered through the HIRF. This funding is part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history — more than $130 billion over 10 years. This investment is helping connect regions, develop new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for Ontarians by supporting infrastructure projects in cities, towns, and rural and remote communities across the province.

Upgrading health-care infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

“Through this investment in hospital infrastructure, we are ensuring that patients have access to care in spaces that are safe, healthy and comfortable. These projects make a real, positive difference in the healing environment, complementing the high-quality care patients receive in Ontario hospitals.”

- Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“I am very pleased that Humber River Hospital (HRH) was chosen to receive funding through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund as this money will help HRH make much-needed critical infrastructure upgrades. Investments like these ensure that patients’ health care needs are met in safe, secure and healthy environments.”

- Monte Kwinter, MPP, York Centre

“The ongoing support for improved healthcare is appreciated. These funds will help our plans for the future of Humber River Hospital, with the transition to our new facility on October 18th and the conversion of the Finch Site to an Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre.”

- Dr. Rueben Devlin, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital

“This targeted investment is good news for the people who live within Central LHIN. A physical facility that is up-to-date and safe provides the starting point for an excellent experience for our patients and families.”

- Kim Baker, CEO, Central LHIN

QUICK FACTS

In 2014–15, the Ontario government increased the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to $125 million — more than doubling its investment from $56.2 million the year before. It has maintained the fund at $125 million in 2015–16.

Modernizing infrastructure will support more than 110,000 jobs a year on average in construction and related industries.

A Conference Board of Canada report estimated that Ontario’s public infrastructure investment would add more than $1,000 to the average annual income of Ontarians in 2014 and lower the unemployment rate by about one percentage point.